“Ceramics, Sensitive Bodies” Exhibition

musée / bordeaux / madd

22 April 2026 - 3 January 2028

Check out the exhibition “Ceramics, Sensitive Bodies” at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design through January 4, 2028.

Ceramics: A Living Material

In ceramics, a vase is often described as a human body: it has a neck, a belly, shoulders, or a foot. This vocabulary shows just how closely these hand-crafted objects resemble living things.
Made from a very simple material—clay—ceramics have met everyday needs for millennia. But they are also sensitive and expressive. Like skin, they retain traces of everything: the hand that shapes them, the air in the studio, the composition of the clay, the heat of the kiln, and even the force of the flames.

Between gesture, fire, and culture

Painted, engraved, or glazed, it has been decorated since ancient times. Colors, crackles, drips, and other effects may be sought after, but they always retain an element of the unexpected. Working with ceramics therefore requires a combination of skill, precision, experience, and a measure of intuition.
The exhibition brings together 80 pieces from several continents, dating from the 3rd millennium BCE to the present day, as well as works by more than 40 artists. It creates a dialogue between ancient and contemporary works to highlight the continuity of forms, the richness of the material, and the cultural significance of ceramics. Audio and video archives complement the exhibition, immersing visitors in the world of the artists, their workshops, and their kilns.

Practical Information

• Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Closed on Tuesdays and holidays (except July 14 and August 15)
• Admission: €4.50